Kingston, Jamaica – 17 February 2019: “I feel so positive. The feedback from the community motivates us.”
Daleon Salmon is the founder of Ragga Herbs and Tonics, a Trench Town-based social enterprise that produces organic drinks from local products – as Mr. Salmon says, “from Earth itself.”
Now, thanks to The Queen’s Young Leaders (QYL) Programme award facilitated through the Digicel Foundation, Mr. Salmon will strengthen the structure of his business to twice its current capacity, with the ultimate aim of exporting his products in the future.
The Digicel Foundation received a QYL grant of US$1.2 million over two years to expand its work in social enterprise development. Award winners receive a year-long tailored package of online-learning, mentoring and networking, and are provided with a one-week residential programme in the UK, during which they will receive their Award from Her Majesty The Queen.
The funds granted to Salmon’s social enterprise will enable them to acquire more equipment for processing their drinks – tasks which have usually been done by hand (such as grinding ingredients). As the enterprise expands and becomes more efficient, it will increase production and sales and thus increase income, create jobs and enhance profits. Alongside this expansion, Ragga Roots has a vision of supporting efforts to bring peace and unity among residents. To this end, the team will participate in and support (in cash or kind) social and cultural events, health fairs, sporting competitions and the like, to not only market its products but also share the message of good health with residents.
The funds will enable Ragga Roots to empower the community with social interventions and skills training. Besides benefiting at least 60 students and young people through this training, it aims to reach out to the wider Trench Town area, which has an estimated population of over 27,000 (about one third under the age of fifteen, and about one half unemployed).
The surrounding community has, over the past seven years of the organization’s existence, responded positively to the products. “The feedback is always great. Our products have a ‘signature taste’,” says Mr. Salmon. He believes Jamaicans are becoming more aware of health issues and are taking a serious interest in holistic medicine.
What makes the Ragga Herbs and Tonics products special? As a member of the Rastafarian faith, Mr. Salmon describes his range of roots drinks and teas as spiritually inspired and “pure.” Ingredients such as medina, the sarsaparilla root and guinea hen weed are ground to a powder, boiled, simmered and bottled, or packaged as tea bags. Some drinks are sweetened with honey. Ragga also produces wines from mango and guava.
CEO of the Digicel Foundation Karlene Dawson observes: “We are thrilled to be a part of this programme which will unlock the potential of young people through social entrepreneurship. They can be change agents, reversing the trend towards violence and criminality. While creating economic opportunity and employment, the Queen’s Young Leaders will become a unifying and stabilizing force for youth and for the wider community.”
Jamaica Highlights 